Why do my transformers hum sometimes?


The power in my home theater seems to be especially bad. In order to improve things, I'm using a Monster AVS 2000 voltage stabilizer for my main components, an additional filtered power strip for the front end components and an isolation transformer for the subs. At times (very frequently on Saturday afternoons), all of the transformers in my system hum audibly. Anybody know why that is? My guess is that the 60 Hz AC sine wave becomes distorted somehow but I don't really know.
jlambrick

Showing 1 response by kirkus

When you say that "all of the transformers" hummm . . . are you really sure? It only takes one for it to really, really sound that way sometimes.

The most common cause of hum and buzz in power transformers is loose core laminations in the transformer itself, or vibrating/loose metalwork around it -- and there's usually one particular component that's the major offender. If you do narrow it down to a certain piece, you might contact the manufacturer . . . they may be aware of a noisy production batch, or have a modification to the mounting to specifically deal with the problem.